VPAT® Training Webinar 2025: ITI and Accessibility Experts Share Key Updates

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) has unveiled a comprehensive training webinar designed to help organizations master the use of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT) and create accurate Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs).

This live webinar was produced by top accessibility experts from major tech companies. The 1-hour 50-minute video is now available online, offering valuable insights for organizations looking to improve their accessibility documentation practices.

Top Benefits of the VPAT 2.5 Webinar

Accessibility compliance has become critical for procurement success. This is especially true under the U.S. Department of Justice’s new rule, which mandates that many government agencies and large organizations require VPAT ACRs before considering vendors for contracts.

This new webinar serves to demystify this process, offering a clear, step-by-step approach. It aims to make the VPAT/ACR journey more approachable for both small teams and seasoned professionals.

What is Inside the Training

The VPAT ACR webinar begins by clarifying the distinction between a VPAT® and an ACR, explaining their respective roles in the compliance landscape. Participants are guided through several key aspects:

• Choosing the correct VPAT edition, such as VPAT 2.4 or VPAT 2.5 (Rev 508, WCAG, EN 301 549, INT).
• Identifying the suitable standards for your product, whether that be WCAG, Section 508, or EN 301 549.
• Understanding and utilizing various testing methods, including manual audits and automated tools.
• Accurately completing conformance columns with statuses such as “Supports,” “Partially Supports,” or “Does Not Support.”
• Reviewing examples of poorly created ACRs to understand common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Viewers also gain access to a downloadable slide deck and training modules, which can be used for offline reference and sharing within their organizations.

Voice from the Top

In the official news release announcing the webinar, Gordon Bitko, ITI’s Executive Vice President of Public Sector Policy, emphasized the significance of this training:

“ITI is proud to be the leading technology industry voice for accessibility policies. We are committed to supporting policies that ensure products for all users—regardless of ability—provide access to information, entertainment, education, employment opportunities, and more. This training is critical for everyone involved in accessibility evaluations, procurement, or product development.”

Watching all the training modules, particularly the first three as recommended by ITI, provides a solid foundation for both beginners and seasoned accessibility professionals.

What VPAT 2.5 Means for Your Business

VPAT 2.5, which was released in April 2024, introduces several important updates. These include standardized notes, method disclosures, and multi-edition support.

The timing of this training is therefore perfect, as it helps both long-time vendors and newcomers stay compliant with the latest standards.

How to Maximize Value from the Webinar

• Watch strategically with expert context: Begin with the modules covering VPAT fundamentals, then progress to completion and evaluation techniques. For more in-depth guidance, ADACP’s hands-on accessibility training breaks down these steps with real-world examples.

A key update from ADACP: We now provide sample documents in workshops rather than having participants bring their own. These samples reflect typical accessibility issues found in documents, presentations and PDFs. This change also ensures everyone starts on the same page, without sensitive or proprietary information entering the training environment.

• Download and annotate slide decks with professional insight: The visuals provided are excellent for quick reference. Pairing them with ADACP’s detailed VPAT and ACR sample documents will equip you with both the framework and expertly written content.
• Test with the webinar tools, then validate with us: Replicate sample tests within your own product to reinforce learning. When you are ready to transition from a "test" phase to an "official" one, ADACP can ensure your VPAT and ACR documents meet the highest compliance standards.
• Plan a team workshop with ADACP’s support: Share the webinar internally to align your development, compliance, and procurement teams. Alternatively, schedule a free consultation with ADACP to create a precisely written and accurate VPAT Accessibility Conformance Report.